[Addressed to three little girls, with a copy of ‘Holiday House.’]
Little maidens, when you look
On this little story-book,
Reading with attentive eye
Its enticing history;
Never think that hours of play
Are your only holiday,
And that, in a time of joy,
Lessons serve but to annoy.
If in any HOUSE you find
Children of a gentle mind,
Each the others helping ever,
Each the others vexing never,
Daily task and pastime daily
In their order taking gaily—
Then be very sure that they
Have a life of HOLIDAY.